Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When I was in high school, living in the San Fernando Valley, my parents bought a beach house in Malibu. As the oldest child of three, I was the first one to raise the red flag. “Why do we need a second home?! Who is this for?! What do we need a vacation house so close to our own home for?!” I was bossy that way, back then. At first, the beach house in Malibu felt strange and unnecessary, but soon it quickly became essential and enlivening. In Malibu, the air felt clean, the people dressed in a breezy manner, the house paint was whiter, and even the stores had an elegant simplicity. There was one supermarket, one movie theatre and one great Italian restaurant where everyone went. As we drove into town every weekend in my parents’ station wagon, we could hear the sound and the smell of the ocean along the Pacific Coast Highway. This is the world of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s new book “Malibu Rising.” Previously Reid wrote “Daisy Jones and the Six,” one of my favorite books of 2019. “Malibu Rising” follows a similar vein, exploring the complexities of blending fame with family. The story centers around the four children of rock star Mick Riva, who are left on their own to raise themselves when their mother and father prove they do not have the skills to do so. Nina, Hud, Jay and Kit manage to stay out of foster care and instead form a family filled with love and surfing. As much as they look toward the future, however, they are constantly reminded of the past and their father’s many infidelities. “Malibu Rising” is a family saga set against the rocky waves of the legendary beach town. The perfect novel to read on the beach, lake or river this summer. To buy this book on Amazon click here.